Special local SEO for small businesses: Local SEO Guide

local SEO for small businesses, SEM, social media ads, content marketing, guerrilla marketing, and influencers. When you discover how many terms and how many different needs there are, you may feel a little panicked, especially if you are a brand that is just starting your marketing journey.

If you have a local SEO for small businesses, are not very familiar with the digital world, or are just starting in this field, we have a great suggestion that will help you reach more people without an advertising budget.

What is Local SEO?

First of all, let’s briefly clarify “What is SEO?” and then let’s focus on Local SEO. SEO, also known as Search Engine Optimization, means that the website gains value in the Google algorithm and can appear on the top pages of relevant searches.

local SEO for small businesses, which will help you rank higher in regional searches; It helps users located close to your business to reach your business much more easily.

In this period when we “Google” every product and service we need; Businesses that are closest to the area the user needs are always considered one step ahead of others.

Why is Local SEO Important for Small Businesses?

This is because; Search engines realize that many users are looking for certain services and products in a location close to them and regularly update themselves to provide the best service.

If we ask Google, we can see that 46% of searches now have a purely “local intent”. This means that potential customers are looking for the service you offer in your service area.

In summary; If you strengthen your local SEO for small business practices, there’s no reason why your potential customers shouldn’t find and visit your business.

• Local SEO for small businesses increases the website’s score and ranking in local searches.
• Local SEO can result in the highest levels of conversion (sales, search, etc.) of any local advertising channel.
• increasing your online visibility, allows you to reach customers in your neighborhood much more easily.
• It increases organic traffic to your website and helps you gain more qualified potential customers.
• It allows you to get ahead of other competitors in the region.
• It helps mobile users easily find your business through search engines, directories, or social media channels.
• It allows the business to be found via Google Maps and other navigation applications.

 How Does Google’s Local Algorithm Work?

Ranking in local searches is getting more difficult every day. So why? The answer is very simple; rivalry. The Google local algorithm is constantly updated to ensure the best and fastest match of search results to a user’s query.

SEO experts and digital marketers need to follow these updates closely and update their SEO strategies accordingly. If you do not adapt to change immediately, local search may lose its presence in the blink of an eye.

To help you understand the local search algorithm; You just need to understand the three main ranking columns that we will share below. These three main ranking columns are; It consists of relevance, closeness, and importance.

Relevance

Relevance is one of the most important components of Google’s local algorithm. To ensure that search engines such as Google see your business as relevant to a particular category; You need to make sure you target keywords or topics that potential customers will be searching for.

Importance

You can think of its importance as the trust and reputation that the brand creates in search engines. This can happen in various ways; Links; object, directories, mentions, reviews; etc. such as… Brands that stand out more strongly in online media are considered more reliable for Google’s local algorithm. We know that search engines (especially Google) pull data from all over the web.

Proximity

Local algorithms are constantly updated to ensure that search results contain the most relevant searches for a user. Despite all these updates, there is one thing that has not changed: Brands consider their proximity to the searcher as the number 1 ranking factor.

In addition to all these, you must also have a Google My Business account. While providing visibility on Google Maps with the account you opened;

• Opening and closing hours for your business,
• The sector you serve,
• By adding information such as your store photos, you will show users clear information about your store and inform them.

What is the Difference Between Local SEO and Google Local Pack Ads?

Local Pack is a feature that can be activated in addition to standard Google “search network” advertising campaigns. Thanks to this plugin, you can directly present your local business’s contact information to your potential customers. But of course, on one condition; You need to create a Google My Business account first.  You can then click on the relevant advertising campaign from the Google Adwords panel and activate location extensions via the ads and extensions option.

After adding the extensions to your ads, your Adwords and My Business accounts will be integrated, allowing potential customers to see the distance between them and the business, as well as the directions, comments, and working hours of the business.

Local SEO for small businesses, on the other hand, is completely different from Local Pack, allowing you to rank higher organically (without advertising). By making adjustments to your landing page and My Business accounts, you can have the chance to rank at the top organically and without paying any fee, thanks to local SEO for small businesses. Let us remind you again that this work has a much more variable structure than classical SEO applications. You should not expect to get a response from SEO studies within a week. Remember that search engine optimization processes require hard work and patience.

What is Google My Business?

If you have a physical business and we consider that digitalization will increase, you should have a Google My Business account.

For example, you searched for a business on Google. On the right side, you see the boxes consisting of maps, locations, opening hours, and customer reviews. This shows that that business has a Google My Business account.

This feature not only brings your business one step closer to meeting potential customers, but it can also strengthen your hand in SEO efforts. Rather than just opening your account and forgetting about it; You should follow up and keep your information updated at all times, upload the most up-to-date images from your store, and inform users whether your store is open or closed on special days.